Former YSRCP Leader Demands Apology from Jagan Mohan Reddy
In a significant development in Andhra Pradesh politics, V Vijayasai Reddy, the estranged aide of former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and former Rajya Sabha MP, has publicly demanded that Jagan immediately withdraw his critical remarks against him. This demand came on Thursday following Vijayasai Reddy's questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case.
Denial of Involvement in Liquor Scam
Speaking to media representatives after his ED interrogation, Vijayasai Reddy firmly denied any involvement in the alleged liquor scandal. He stated categorically that he was not aware of the beneficiaries in the purported scam and had conveyed this position clearly to the investigating authorities.
"I did not criticise anyone... it was Jagan who criticised me," Reddy asserted sharply during his media interaction. "The comments made against me should be withdrawn by Jagan," he added, emphasizing that such remarks were particularly unfair considering his many years of dedicated service to the party and Jagan's leadership.
Challenge on Asset Accumulation Allegations
Reddy also addressed accusations regarding the accumulation of illicit wealth worth hundreds of crores, offering specific clarifications about his financial situation. He explained that assets linked to his daughter's marriage were not his personal property and revealed that he owns only one apartment in Visakhapatnam.
In a bold declaration, Reddy stated, "If my assets are proven to be from illegal sources, I will quit politics forever." This strong statement represents a significant challenge to those making allegations against him and underscores his confidence in the legitimacy of his financial holdings.
Accusations Against Jagan's Inner Circle
The former MP placed blame for his political marginalization squarely on what he described as a "useless coterie" surrounding Jagan Mohan Reddy. According to Reddy, this inner circle began undermining his position starting in 2020 by feeding misinformation to the party leadership, eroding trust, and ultimately leading to his sidelining despite his earlier prominent role as the perceived "number-2" in the new government setup.
Reddy described working tirelessly for Jagan, comparing his dedication to that of a bullock, only to be ousted due to flattery and influence from this group. He made the pointed observation that "there would never be a number 2 in the regional parties," adding that "My name appeared as number-2 only when the cases were slapped against Jagan."
Political Predictions and Future Plans
In a striking political prediction, Reddy claimed that Jagan would not return to power even if he undertook another padayatra (foot march) unless he removed the problematic coterie from his inner circle. This statement represents a significant challenge to the YSRCP leadership's political strategy.
Asserting that he has not retired from politics, Reddy revealed that he spent the past year focusing on agricultural activities while limiting his public appearances to occasional tweets that avoided targeting specific individuals. He vowed to teach a lesson to those spreading false propaganda against him and stressed that "Vijayasai Reddy is not someone who gets scared."
Reddy offered a philosophical perspective on political power, reminding observers that "power is temporary" and that "no one holds it forever." He indicated that he would reveal his specific plans for political re-entry after June, suggesting a calculated approach to his return to active politics.
Context of the Enforcement Directorate Investigation
The backdrop to these developments is the ongoing ED investigation into the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, which has created significant political turbulence in the state. Vijayasai Reddy's questioning represents just one aspect of this broader investigation that continues to impact Andhra Pradesh's political landscape.
This public confrontation between former allies highlights the deepening fractures within the YSRCP and signals potential realignments in Andhra Pradesh politics as various factions position themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
